Disclaimer: (know what? Go look at the previous chapters. I'm tired of saying this.)

Beta: The Lovely Kaykai-sama (Me!)

A Vampire Ocean Gem: Keeping a Bloody Secret

"Shippou, honey, will you come here please?"

A small auburn haired kitsune stopped chasing after a young girl of the age of eight when his beloved mother called for him. After telling the girl that he would be back, the kit rushed off to meet his mother. "Kaa-chan!"

A raven haired woman kneeled down to scoop the speeding kitsune child into her arms, laughing when the momentum knocked her over. "My, my Shippou, you have grown since the last time."

Shippou merely let out a purr like growl when she stroked her fingers through his tail in a soothing manner. By Kami-sama, he loved this woman. She was so kind and caring and loving, just like his mother before hunters killed her.

Tears began to collect in his eyes and he bit back a sob, but not before the woman hear it.

"What's wrong sweetie? Why are you crying?" she asked her voice thick with concern.

Shippou rubbed his eyes, ridding himself of the salty fluid that had managed to escape the confines of his eyelids. "Kore ni mo nai, Kaa-chan. I...Shippou is…he was reminded of his yoko haha-ue."

Her gentle smile turned into a grim frown. "I'm so sorry, baby. You must really miss her." her ocean blue eyes filled with tears as well.

"Please don't cry Kaa-chan. Shippou does not like to see your sad crying face. I am happy to have you now. Shippou will not let us be separated. He will always protect Kaa-sama!" Shippou puffed his chest out proudly. "Hai, absolutely no one will take away my Haha-ue."

Her bell-like giggles filled his sense of hearing. "Hai, no one will take me from you."

"Ne, Kagome…"

Kagome blinked in confusion when the kit used her name instead of calling her 'Kaa-chan.' "Yes."

He stilled abruptly, his gaze fell to the earthen ground in a moment of pondering. Moments past and his head raised and gazed straight into Kagome's blue eyes, a look of determination and vulnerability he spoke. "This, Shippou, is youkai, Will Kagome still acknowledge him as her son? To be his mother in all ways even to share life blood."

Shippou's tone nearly broke in the ending of his questions causing Kagome heart to crake just so much. How could she say no? Even if he never brought the subject up, she had already acknowledged him as her own child long ago. "Of course, Shippou. I have thought of you as my son so long ago" her reply was only a whisper. She could not manage to bring her volume of voice any louder. Streams of tears flooded her eyes and two valleys of salt water marked her cheeks. "I love you so much, my child. My precious Shippou."

Shippou elfin ears twitched at her confession and a slow, bright smile spread over his lips. "Honto ni?"

Kagome nodded and hugged him close to her chest as tears up joy continued to flow down her redden face. "My boy, my child, my baby, my son, my kit, I will always love you. Forever."

The moment Kagome felt herself being tugged inside Kanna's mirror, darkness consumed her being. The young miko could have sworn that the dark abyss was tangible as her skin crawled with the feeling of being touched with unwanted hands. She was grateful to Miroku for he taught her how to control her reiki as she pushed it into her eyes to heighten her sight. Kagome took in a sharp intake of breath at what she saw.

It was a much younger version of the same being they were attempting to destroy, Naraku. His short chin length black hair was a ratty mess and blood was smeared over his rounded cheeks. He was suspended by his arms, held up by many tangled strings of red wire. Kagome felt her heart call out for the child even though he was her sworn enemy. When she began to take a step toward him, a low growl stopped her.

"What are you doing here, Miko?" a dark silky voice bit out harshly.

The miko twisted around on her heels and came face to face with the older version of the child. She gasped when her airway was closed off as Naraku lashed out at her, wrapping his hand around her slender throat and raising her into the air.

"I don't know how you managed your way in here, but your death shall not be quick."

Kagome peeked a blue eye open as she lifted her small hands to the large one at her neck, clawing at it slightly. "N…Naraku, you are in pain, aren't you?"

The dark youkai snarled indigently. "What nonsense are you speaking, Miko? I, Naraku, have nothing to hurt about."

The dark haired woman smiled gently and pointed a finger at the young boy tangled in the red strings. "Not you. Him."

Naraku's eyes sought out whatever it was that the miko was pointing at, but found nothing. Irritation bubbled within him, his gaze snapped harshly back, seeking out the deep blue orbs of the miko.

"You think me to be a fool, Miko." he snarled, his clawed hand tightened around her neck, but he quickly loosened slightly when she hacked. He didn't want her end to come too swiftly.

Kagome's breath came out in harsh pants, grasping for the air that wouldn't come into her lungs. She wasn't sure how long his generosity would last. "Why should I lie to you, Naraku? I have no reason to." Her small hand on his wrist spread and incased the back of his hand, almost in a caress.

The movement caused his eyes to flicker almost questionly.

"What do you see, Miko?" his voice velvety and surprisingly soft. "What can you possibly see in this darkness?"

The softness in his tone caught her by surprise. Kagome felt her feet touch solid ground and her instinct told her to move, to get far away as she soon felt the hand that trapped her broke away, but she was unable to move.

He moved away from her and yet her heart beat faster.

"What can you possibly see?" the soft whisper caressed her ears as she watched as the two red orbs of his eyes veiled away behind closed lids.

He moved behind her, closing in on the miko. She felt his cool fingertips caressing the back of her hand. She shivered, from what she was not sure - fear maybe? She did not know. Soon Kagome felt her hand being laced with his. He stopped behind her but their bodies did not touch. She could feel his cool breath on the exposed skin of her neck. Kagome did not know what to think, her mind was an empty void. She did not dare to make a sound.

Then he leaned closer and she gasped as his right hand slid across her chin and jaw.

"What can you see?"

"I..."

"Show me. Open your eyes and show me."

"H..."

The question unfinished. She felt his cheek touch her.

"Show me what you see, what you can possibly see when all that I, Naraku, see is darkness."

Kagome felt her throat close up with emotion. Here she was standing almost intimately close to the man who has caused so much pain and suffering, but she couldn't bring herself to leave his hold. The pain his aura was emitting was keeping her in place. She wanted, no…needed to help this man find his way through the darkness.

The miko finally realized where she was. She was inside one of the dark corners of Naraku's human heart and the young version of Naraku was his past. Before he became the corrupted youkai he was now.

"Kagome, please show me what you see."

The dark haired girl gasped when he spoke her name. Her heart opened up to him and she revealed everything to him. From the red wires, to the bloody, raggedy child dressed in torn clothes, to how her heart yearned to help the child. Tears began to flow down her cheeks, leaving sticky wet trails in their wake.

"Naraku, I want to help him."

The aforementioned youkai was quiet. He didn't know how to respond to her. For once, the great and terrible Naraku was speechless. Not one coherent thought came to his mind. His carmine eyes narrowed. He didn't like feeling like this. He was about to pull away from the miko with a feral growl, but she had a tight grip on his hands.

"Miko, release me."

She shook her head. "No. Let me help you."

"I said, Release me!"

Kagome let go of one of his hands, but quickly turned and took hold of it once more. "Naraku, I am going to heal your tormented soul." she raised their clasped hands to her chest and her eyes slid shut.

Naraku snarled when their hands began to glow silver and he tried to yank his away from her, but was unable. The light spread up his arms and he felt the youki inside him bubble up, but it was not in a painful manner. It was…soothing. As the silver glow reached his shoulders he ceased his struggles and surrendered to the soothing feeling. Naraku released a contented sighed when the light touched the area above his heart.

The young boy tangled in the red strings was slowly being lowered to the ground as the wire began to untangle themselves. The blood on the child's face was cleaned off and his short dark hair became clean and neat. His torn clothing began to mend itself, coming to resemble a deep purple haori with gold stitching and matching hamakas. Slowly his eyes opened, revealing the same blood color as his older version. His mouth tilted up in a smile when Naraku looked over the young woman's shoulder at him and he parted his mouth,

"Thank her."

He faded away.

Naraku watched as the child faded away and a sense of being whole filled him. The darkness in his heart was leaving, his mind was clear of any evil thoughts. The once vile youkai was cleansed.

Naraku looked down at the little miko holding onto his hands, almost like a lover would and a smirk spread over his lips. This small and fragile woman has freed me. Thank her, huh? He chuckled mentally.

He tightened his fingers over her slightly, just a light pressure so that he wouldn't startle her. I'll thank her alright. his smirk widened into a near grin as various ways he could tease the small woman near him traveled through his mind

A touch to his heart and hers skipped a beat. There was a bit of warmth in a smile on his lips when his youkai hearing picked up on that. He heard the faint sound of her breathing quickening and he knew that she was awakening from her trance. Looking down the tip of his nose, Naraku peered into her bright ocean colored eyes. A soft hum of youki lowly lit his hand and traveled to hers, fingertips touching his clothed chest. The slightly erratic beating of his heart thundered in his ears.

A piece of myself.

"N...Naraku...?" she breathed out his name in the softest of whispers. As if she were afraid that if she raised her voice any louder he would lash out at her in anger. She receive no answer. Only a sly smirk.

He slid his hands down the back of her hand to her wrist and he led her hand up, trailing her fingers up his chest, to his collarbone, his strong muscled neck, his chiseled jaw, up to his lips. She was thoroughly surprised to find his skin soft and warm beneath her fingers.

Naraku placed the lightest, most chaste kiss; it was so soft, like a butterfly kiss to the tips of her fingers. A small shock traveled down her spine. Okay now, she knew that this wasn't the same Naraku she was battling a few hours ago. This man was kind, gentle…loving even.

Gosh! What's a girl to do in a time like this? She flushed red and Naraku found himself grinning at her and he wanted to do more to cause that flush. He leaned in close to her, his hand releasing her wrist in favor of tipping her face up and in a flash he captured her lips with his own.

Kagome squeaked in surprise, blushing from the roots of her hair down to her neck. Just as sudden as those soft lips covered her own, they were gone. She hadn't even realized that something entered her body. Kagome did not even notice that through that soft gentle kiss, Naraku transmitted a tiny bit of his youki to fuse with her reiki.

"Thank you," his lips slid across her cheek to her ear, where his warm breath fanned out and tickled her skin, "Ka-go-me." And he vanished.

The miko, still dazed from the small kiss, stood there for a few second to recollect her composure. She squeaked in embarrassment and raised her hands to her face, only then did she realize that there was some weight to her left hand. Opening her palm she saw them.

The Shikon no Tama and a ruby red pearl.

Kagome stared at the two orbs in her hands. She took no notice to the shift of space and scenery around her. She did not register the sounds of her name being called, not until her child's warm body was pressed against her chest.

"Shippou."

"What happened Kaa-sama?" his jade green eyes were filled to the brim with unshed tears.

Kagome's hand reflexively closed around the two objects, there was a slight tingling feeling before it disappeared. She had no time to find out what that was as great pain ignited in her making her register the closing distance between she and Kikyou.

"What do you two want?" she asked, her tone harsh even to her own ears.

"What the hell happened, Wench?" Inuyasha inquired, his gruffness only a façade to cover up his concern.

"Nothing that concerns you or Kikyou, Inuyasha." Kagome turned on her heels, dismissing them both. Her blue eyes scanned the battlefield and was mildly surprised to see that Kagura had returned and was engaged in battle with Kouga. She blinked. When had the wolf prince gotten here? How long was she gone?

She slid her eyes off the wind enchantress and wolf's fight over to the regal form of the proud Inu daiyoukai. His white haori was stained with blood, but Kagome knew better than to think that it was his. Sesshoumaru was killing off any stray youkai that were left behind with Bakusaiga.

A sharp pain. That was what Kagome felt ripping through her body and her arms tightened around Shippou's body. Her breath came out in harsh pants as she struggled to turn around. There she saw it, the humming string of energy that connected her to Kikyou. The undead miko must have noticed it for she was pulling on it.

Kikyou grinned. She has always known of the ki string that connected the piece of her soul to Kagome's much larger one. She was just waiting for the right time to grasp it. Her mud brown eyes connected with the dark blue ones of Kagome when the younger miko turned around and Kikyou smirk. She yanked on the string again, trying to rip the remainder of her soul back into her body. Once she had her soul back, Kikyou would regain her position as guardian of the Shikon no Tama and this time she will have Inuyasha at her side…as her mate.

She was a fool to want the hanyou to become human in the past. Once she was complete again, she would lower herself to become the hanyou's mate to seal that her life would be expanded by centuries. Kikyou pulled on the ki rope again.

Kagome cried out in pain as she felt her soul tried to leave her body. She gritted her teeth when the dead one gave another tug at their connection and she made up in her mind. This was the last straw! Lowering Shippou back to the ground, she nuzzled his cheek with her own and whispered for him to go back in the hut with Rin.

Shippou nodded and hurriedly ran back inside the small hut. Once Shippou was out of her sights, Kagome turned cold eyes on the undead miko. "This is the last straw, Kikyou. You have attempted to steal my soul for the last time." she bit her lip when the older miko pulled on their connection.

"You have no right to keep what is rightfully mine! Both the jewel and my soul! You are just a mere copy, a reincarnation!"

The younger miko felt her control snap and she felt heat flare up from her wrist. Looking down she saw the golden bracelet her father had left for her glowing an ethereal blue. Her mouth fell open slightly when a long dark ribbon slipped out of the band. Kagome reached for the cloth and felt it hard and sharpen in her hands.

Kagome watched in awe as the soft silky ribbon changed forms, becoming more blade-like and pointed. "Wow…" the astonishment in her eyes faded back into that icy unforgiving glare as she looked at Kikyou. "I am no one's copy! I am Higurashi Kagome, guardian of the Shikon no Tama!" with a warrior yell, the younger miko severed he humming string of blue ki, separating herself from Kikyou. The moment the sharpened edge of the cloth touched the string, a blinding white light enveloped the two women, shielding them completely from the others view.

The sharpened silk ribbon continue on its course and snaked around the energy strings at fast pace. The diamond hard tip touched the center-left of the dead miko's chest and pierced into her dead heart.

Instinctively, Kagome's hand took hold of the ribbon and pulled, jerking it back to her. An orb of blue energy emerged from Kikyou's chest and shot towards Kagome As it reached her the orb separated into six parts, one stayed hovering over her sternum while the other five radiated to her four limbs and head. The lights soon entered her body and disappeared under her skin leaving behind one single symbol on her forehead. The symbol glowed and a pulsation of power rippled through her body, healing all injuries to perfection.

Kagome opened her eyes when her feet touched the solid ground below. She lifted her hands to her face, gaping at that they were not scarred from holding the ribbon blade. Why weren't my hands cut?

"Kikyou!"

Inuyasha's loud brazen voice drug the miko from her thoughts and she looked over at the crumpled form of the older miko, watching the red clad inu hanyou rush to her side.

Kikyou screeched indignantly as she fell back onto the hard ground when Kagome snapped the ki string. "I am fine Inuyasha. You needn't worry about me." Kikyou brushed the concerned hanyou away from her as she rose to her feet, yanking her long bow off her back and taking aim at the living miko. "Die and return what you have taken from me!"

Kagome watched with narrow eyes as the dead one released her hama no ya at her. As the speeding arrow neared her the younger miko threw her body to the right, avoiding the reiki filled weapon. She heard Kikyou let out a aggravated cry. She barely had enough time to dodge the next hama no ya that was directed at her.

"Kagome-chan!"

"Kagome-sama!"

"Stay back! This is my battle." The miko called out to her friends when they started to run over to her.

Sango watched as her sisterly figure run and dodge the dead miko's reiki filled arrows with an almost graceful ease, as if she were dancing to an unheard song.

Kagome merely stood still as the undead woman released another arrow towards her. A voice seemed to echo through her ears, saying that she should remain as she was until the last second, and then lift her hands. The younger miko waited until the hama no ya was a few inches away from her chest before raising her hand, catching the arrow between her fingers. Wow... that was the only thought that rang through her mind as she starred down in disbelief at the weapon in her fingertips.

A smirk soon formed on her lips and she closed her fist, effectively breaking the arrow from it's tip. She swung her hand to the side and sent the miko ki infused metal tip to a raging youkai to her right. Her eyes sparked with a satisfying glint as the sound of death registered in her ears seconds later

Kagome's sharp blue eyes stared into Kikyou's brown ones. "I have nothing of yours, leech."

Kikyou took a step back at the chilling tone the younger miko hand just used. Never before had she seen this...this...side of Kagome. The older woman thought her to be weak, not this powerful being before her. She took a sharp intake of breath when her eyes rested on the younger girl's forehead.

There, tattooed onto her flesh was a glittering blue six petal marking. It was similar to the marking Midoriko possessed before she died. It was a warrior miko's symbol. No...No...When I obtain a fraction of her soul, I took that away from her. Unless... Kikyou raised her hands and released a shocked gasp. Her fingers were beginning to wrinkle. She has taken back the life force I obtained.

"Such lies you've spoken." Kagome began slowly. "So many times you have repeated the same thing over and over; how I was your reincarnation, how weak I was, how undeserving I was to receive anything..." the younger miko elegantly weaved her hand through her long silken hair, the tone of her voice was so carefree as if talking about the weather.

She chuckled, "So many lies you've spoke while your slimy hands constantly stole away my life force..."she laughed scornfully. "And like the fool I am, I let you. I let you for the one thing that I so wished would one day return. I fell in love... How foolish I was to think only about others happiness."

Kagome muffled another small laugh. "No, I shouldn't say that I was foolish to think only of other's happiness, but for allowing myself to believe that I was in love with Inuyasha."

The aforementioned male stiffened at her cold words. This wasn't the Kagome he was used to seeing. No, he could easily feel the power emitting from her body, see the confidence in her stance. What just happened?

Kagome couldn't help herself; her hands covered her lips as she giggled. She was just so full with energy. She was so temped to swirl and start dancing. For the first time in a long time, she felt like herself and that alone made her so happy.

"Bitch!" the angry scream of Kikyou made her looked up just in time to dodge the crawling strike.

Kagome moved, flipping backwards twice. As she landed on her feet, her hand swung out in defense and she summoned her choice weapon. The ribbons shot out from her now-evolved bracelet and snaked around Kikyou's limbs, spreading her into a crucifix position.

"Let me go!"

Kagome could only give her a disbelieving look. "Really? Do you take me for a fool?"

"Bitch."

"Sorry, last time I checked, I wasn't a female dog."

Kikyou snarled at the younger girl. She was so close to having her wants fulfilled! She wasn't going to let this mere copy steal that away from her! The undead woman sent her reiki into her palms and grabbed hold of the ribbons circled around her wrists.

Kagome smirked when she saw this. "I wouldn't do that if I were you..."

She felt sharp pain as the sharp edges cut her palms. Kikyou screamed.

"Kikyou!" Inuyasha turned his angry amber eyes at the smirking female. "Let her go, wench!"

The miko shifted her eyes to the shouting hanyou and lifted her hand below her chin as she tilted her head boredly. "I'm sorry. Did you say something?" the word 'wench' stirred anger within her, but she wouldn't let that ingrate see it on her face.

Inuyasha looked taken aback. What did she just...? His confusion soon turned back into anger. "You heard me, wench. I said to let her go!"

Her dark blue eyes flashed silver with her newly acquired energy, but the moment a velvety soft voice echoed through her ears she stopped.

"Kagome."

She smiled, "May I borrow your sword, Sesshoumaru-sama?" she asked. "I think it's time the dead, remain dead."

The daiyoukai of the western lands raised a silver brow at her, but relinquished his sword to the woman.

"I won't let you!" Inuyasha ran but was stopped by a bubbled barrier of shimmering blue.

Kagome gave him a sweet smile as she accepted the Tensaiga. "You will not interfere Inuyasha. It is time for Kikyou to go back to the corners of whatever hell she came from. Besides, you want the rest of her soul back; well that part of her soul has been waiting impatiently for her in hell."

Inuyasha banged his fists onto the barrier in vain as she watched Kagome give his beloved a cruel smile.

"Ashes will return to ashes, Kikyou. Bye-bye" She charged, Tensaiga pulsing in her hands.

Kikyou opened her mouth to release one last shout, but dark blood-like fluid flowed down her chest as pain erupted from her chest. Looking down she saw the gleaming blade of the sword of life and death protruding from her body. "Curse you..."

Kagome could not help herself from leaving Kikyou one last word, "Sorry, I don't want your curse."

Kikyou let out a strangled choke as Kagome thrust the blade deeper into her chest until the sharp tip touched her non-beating heart. "Please, have mercy on me." she switched tactics to begging, hoping that the girl's weakness for other's happiness will be her undoing. "If I die, then Inuyasha will forever be heartbroken."

"Yeah? But if you live, Kami-sama will be so unhappy with me. Besides, those who ask for mercy, rarely ever get it." with those words said, the younger miko pressed Tensaiga through Kikyou cold heart. "Say hello to Shinigami-sama for me."

Kagome's words sounded cruel even to her ears, but she couldn't bring herself to feel any remorse for the woman she just sent back to the netherworld. Kikyou released a small scream as the blade pierced through her body and reemerged through her back. The older miko felt a rush of energy flow from her body and soon several glowing white orbs floated around the two women.

"Ashes shall return to ashes. A soul without a body will leave the world of the living. The time for judgment is here."

A portal open and like a black hole quickly sucked away what was Kikyou's soul.

"No! Kikyou!" Inuyasha strangled cry was slightly muffled by the barrier that was preventing him from rushing over and saving the woman he loved. His clawed hands beat on the shimmering blue orb as his demands to be let go were left to fall on deaf ears.

Kagome gazed dreamingly at the glowing orbs that had yet to disappear. Her hardened expression turned soft as she spoke to them gently. "What are you waiting for? You are free now."

The glowing orbs twinkled brightly before parting, making a path for a single glowing orb. The energy coming from it made swirls of blue, pink, and silver dance inside of it. Kagome smiled at the familiarity of this one, it belongs to her. This was the fraction of her soul that the witch Urasue stole from her to animate Kikyou's clay body. She spread her arms wide as the orb flew at her, melting back into her chest, and a feeling of being whole filled the miko.

Elation filled her to the rim. She could not help herself and hopped in place, hands over her lips as she giggled. She caught a glimpse of white and yellow and turned to see Sesshoumaru smiling softly. "Sesshoumaru-sama!" she ran and hugged the Lord tightly. "I'm so happy!"

Sesshoumaru made a soft noise in the back of his throat, but made no move to embrace the female back. If he did he wouldn't want her to leave his arms. Ever.

Rin watched with sad eyes from the sideline. She knew of Sesshoumaru's affection for the young miko. "Poor, Chichi-ue."

The full Inu took a moment to relish in the feeling of having her delicate body pressed so close to his, before placing his hand on her head. "Miko..."

"Haha-ue!"

"Shippou!" she ran to her son, picking up and swirling around in a small circle. Shippo soon joined in with her contagious laughter as Kagome showed kisses on his chubby cheeks.

A cheerful atmosphere blazed through the battlefield. Inuyasha watched from his confinement, though his eyes were glazed over with angry as he watched on, he could not help but to notice how truly right all this felt. His body was drained of all emotions as he continued to watch.

Everything is over…

-0-0-0

~The Lovely Kaykai-sama

~CrescentMelody